The Talent Opportunity Program is an innovative and comprehensive career readiness program. TOP provides students with the knowledge and experience to give them a competitive edge, by connecting classroom learning, experiences, and professional development.
Students who participate in the program will graduate with a set of skills that will be invaluable in their professional careers. TOP also offers students the opportunity to personalize their experience, by choosing the leadership opportunities and events to attend based on their personal interests and career goals. Individualized attention will be given to all TOP students by the TOP advisor.
About TOP
The Mount’s Talent Opportunity Program (TOP) provides students with a structured and comprehensive opportunity throughout their time at the Mount to gain superior skills important to today’s workplace including:
- Career planning.
- Professionalism.
- Self-leadership.
Program Requirements
- University/major experiential requirement(s)
Completion of CED 370, “Creating Your Career: How to Map Your Professional Journey” OR CED 303, “Charting Your Path to Graduate School”, both of which include one-on-one career coaching with the TOP advisor or other CEEC staff- Documentation of 8 distinct experiences (from events to leadership roles) in your unique Career Prep Portfolio that meet NACE career readiness competencies.
While all students can participate in any of these activities, through TOP, students can structure these experiences and obtain career preparation by completing academic courses and engaging in experiences that will give Mount students a competitive edge.
Benefits
- One hundred percent of TOP graduates have secured full-time employment or admission to graduate school within six months of graduation.
- TOP is available to all students and is flexible regardless of major.
- Individualized support is given to each TOP student and TOP is customized to each student's career path.
Enrollment
Students may enroll in the program by attending a TOP orientation at the beginning of the fall semester, or by visiting the Career & Experiential Education Center. For best results, it is recommended that students enroll in the program during their freshman year. The program is strategically structured to foster career readiness throughout the student experience. Students will build a personalized career development plan.
What’s Different About TOP?
TOP participants will graduate with a portfolio of their accomplishments which can be linked on their professional documents, online profiles, and used during interviews. TOP graduates are recognized each year at the Excellence in Experiential Education Luncheon with a certificate of achievement and a golden cord to wear at graduation. Additionally, TOP graduates receive exclusive perks like VIP time with employers and an introduction to the regional Young Professional networks through our memberships with the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Chambers of Commerce.
Graduates will continue to be supported by the Career & Experiential Education Center staff after earning their degree, as needed. There are over 1,000 registered employers in the Mount’s Handshake database.
Contact Information
Amanda Meeker, Director of Career & Experiential Education CenterAmanda.Meeker@msj.edu
513-244-4824